Author Archives: Colton Hall

Hearing Health Services

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By Dan Bechtold, Editor

The name of the Winner business has changed but it still offers exceptional, quality and professional care to its patients.

Hearing Health Services is the new name of the business and is owned by Lenna Thieman of Colome who purchased the business on Sept. 18.

Desirae Vobr remains as the licensed audiologist.

The business was formerly known as Hearing Health Center and was owned by Paul Nelson and Catherine Grange of Spencer, Iowa.

Vobr has been the audiologist in Winner for 13 years.

The business is located at 417 Main St. The business is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday by appointment only and outreach.

Vobr is a 1998 graduate of Colome High School. She received her bachelor’s degree in communication disorders and her master’s in audiology from the University of South Dakota.

Vobr obtained her certificate of clinical competency in audiology from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and is a member of the South Dakota Association of Hearing Health Professionals.

Vobr began taking courses in college for speech pathology. After completing a class on hearing, she realized that helping people hear better was really what she passionate about.

While in college, she did an internship at the VA center and School for the Deaf in Sioux Falls.

She started working at Sioux Falls Hearing Aid Service with the Nelson group. They are the same family who had owned the Winner business.

After and year and a half in Sioux Falls, Desirae and her husband decided to move back to their hometown of Colome.

In December 2005, Vobr started working in Winner.

As an audiologist, she tests person’s hearing to see where their hearing loss is at and whether they are a candidate for hearing aids. She sells hearing aids and does all the adjustments.

Vobr explained over 85 percent are over the 65 age level. However, she is seeing more younger people and believes this is mainly due to their exposure to a high noise level.

The hearing test takes about 20 minutes but she allows an hour for the patient.

“I love how flexible hearing aids have become and how I can adjust the aids as my patients’ needs change,” she said.

Patients appreciate the time that Desirae takes to educate them about their hearing loss and discuss what treatment options would work best for them.

“I love seeing people’s faces when they are amazed at what the have been missing out,” she added.

Desirae has three children: Eli, 12; Rayma, 9 ½ and Kyler, 7 ½ and is expecting a baby in November.

To make an appointment for a hearing evaluation persons can call 842-1209.

Area Producers 3rd Largest Registered Angus Cattle Producer

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Jorgensen Ranches, Ideal, are ranked third largest in registering the most Angus beef cattle in South Dakota with the American Angus Association during fiscal year 2018.

Roger and Shelly Joseph, Winner, ranked as seventh largest in registering the most Angus beef cattle in South Dakota.

Angus breeders across the nation in 2018 registered 327,067 head of Angus cattle.

Murder Trial Moved to Stanley County

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The murder trial for a Hamill man has been moved to Stanley County.

Chance Harruff, 48, will stand trial starting Oct. 22 through Nov. 2 for the murder of Kristi Olson who was found unresponsive in her Gregory County home on June 2017 and was pronounced dead at the Gregory hospital later the same day.

The charges stem from an incident in the early morning hours at which time an argument escalated and Harruff struck Olson with a “mule strength punch” to the chest, knocking her to the floor, according to court documents.

Harruff will be tried for first degree murder, second degree murder and manslaughter.

Harruff’s trial was at one point scheduled to begin in Gregory County where the alleged crime took place. However, a Jan. 23 filing from the defense argued that Harruff could not have a fair trial in Gregory County because the questionnaires submitted by potential juror indicated that many in the community were convinced that Harruff was guilty before hearing any evidence.

On Jan. 26, Judge Bobbi Rank issued an opinion in favor of the defense’s request granting a change of venue to Stanley County.

Two months after Rank filed to allow the trial to proceed in Stanley County, Harruff’s attorney then submitted another motion for a change of venue, arguing that bias among potential Stanley County jurors would make Harruff unable to get an impartial trial there either. That motion was denied.

Both sides have submitted their exhibit lists for the trial.

SWIER LAW FIRM HONORED AS ONE OF THE “50 BEST PLACES TO WORK” BY PRAIRIE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Swier Law Firm has been named as one of the “50 Best Places to Work” for 2018 by Prairie Business magazine. Companies were nominated through an anonymous employee satisfaction survey and rated in areas including work environment, employee benefits and happiness.

“Our clients count on us to field top legal talent,” said Scott Swier. “That’s why being a best place to work is fundamental to our strategy, and why we are innovating to attract, retain and inspire both lawyer and staff talent.”

“As organizations, the 50 Best Places to Work range in size from small businesses with a dozen or so employees, to national companies that are doing business in 48 states,” Tom Dennis, Prairie Business editor, said. “But they all have one thing in common: a workplace culture that inspires loyalty and enthusiasm among employees. We can all learn from the benefits, pay practices, management styles and other factors that set these successful cultures apart.”

In its fifth year hosting the Best Places to Work contest, Prairie Business received more than 1,300 nominations from employees in North Dakota, South Dakota and western Minnesota. The 50 Best winners are honored in the September publication.

Lady Warriors Jump to 17-1

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Lady Warriors down Gregory

Winner volleyball team, ranked No. 3rd in Class A, defeated Gregory in three sets on Oct. 2. The scores were 25-10, 25-9, 25-7.

Ellie Brozik and Mackenzie Levi were 100 percent in serving. Brozik and Morgan Hammerbeck each had 4 ace serves.

Hammerbeck had 9 kills, Kalla Bertram, 6 and Brozik, 5.

Levi had 21 set assists and Addy Root, 4

Maggie LaCompte had 17 digs and Brozik, 8.

Hammerbeck had 1 solo block and 1 block assist.

Abby Marts had 1 block assist.

As a team, Winner was 98 percent in serving with 9 ace serves, 29 kills, 27 set assists and 46 digs.

“We came out focused and ready to play,” said coach Jaime Keiser. “We were aggressive and did a great job of attacking and serving the ball which kept Gregory on the defensive end. We played three consistent games. The girls played as a team and were having fun,” said Keiser.

The Lady Warriors improve to 16-1 with the victory.

Lady Warriors defeat Arlington

The Winner Lady Warriors volleyball team defeated Arlington in 4 sets at the Chester Challenge on Saturday.

The scores were 25-14, 22-25, 25-16, 25-19.

Morgan Hammerbeck was named the MVP of the match.

Hammerbeck and Maggie LaCompte were 100 percent in serving.

Ellie Brozik had 4 aces and LaCompte, 3.

Abby Marts had 23 kills and Hammerbeck, 13.

Mackenzie Levi had 27 set assists and Addy Root, 22.

Hammerbeck had a 2.20 serve receive rating and LaCompte had a 2.06 serve receive rating.

Hammerbeck had 27 digs and LaCompte, 25.

As a team, Winner was 95 percent in serving with 8 aces, 59 kills, 56 assists and 122 digs.

“Arlington is a very experienced, scrappy and well coach team,” said coach Jaime Keiser.

“We came out ready to play and had the momentum most of the first set. The second set we gave Arlington too many unearned points. We switched our defense in the third set and it helped get to Arlington’s tips, down balls and attacks.

“Arlington was very scrappy and would get to every ball we hit to them. We did a great job of attacking the ball over and over wearing them down. I was very proud of the girls and their effort. They played with a lot of heart and intensity. It as a total team effort,” said Keiser.

The Lady Warriors defeated White River in three sets on Thursday. Winner won 25-17, 25-10 and 25-12.

Ellie Brozik was 94 percent in serving and Littau was 90 percent.

Brozik had 4 aces and Littau 2.

Hammerbeck had 14 kills and Abby Marts 9.

Levi had 18 set assists and Root, 9.

LaCompte had 10 digs and Brozik and Hammerbeck with 8 each.

Kalla Bertram had 1 solo block and 3 block assists and Brozik had 2 block assists.

As a team, Winner was 87 percent in serving with 8 aces, 36 kills, 34 set assist, 44 digs and 4 blocks.

“The first set we made too many serving and attacking errors. Then we settled down and did a great job of attacking the ball, which kept White River out of system and chasing the ball all over the place,” said Keiser.

The next action for Winner will be Oct. 15 hosting Mt. Vernon/Plankinton and Oct. 16 hosting Wagner.

Colome Falls in Action with Nebraska teams

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Colome volleyball team played Ainsworth, Neb. and Stuart, Neb., in a quadrangular on Oct. 2.

The Cowgirls were defeated by Ainsworth 3-2. Colome took the first set 25-20 and the fourth set 25-15. Ainsworth won the other three sets.

Baylie Hoffine scored 9 points, Haley Krumpus and Makayla Shippy had 8 points each.

Kaydee Heath had 16 kills. Shippy had 30 set assists.

Kaydee Heath had 20 digs and Shippy 13.

Stuart defeated Colome 3-0, 12-25, 25-27 and 23-25.

Shippy had 15 points and one ace.

Kaydee Heath had 7 kills. Shippy had 16 assists.

Shippy and Hoffine each had 8 digs.

Colome will host White River on Oct 11 and play in the Andes Tournament on Oct. 13.

Colome Rolls Over Corsica-Stickney

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Colome, rated No. 2 in Class 9B football, rolled to a 60-8 victory over Corsica-Stickney on Friday.

With the victory, Colome remains undefeated with a 7-0 record.

Jackson Kinzer led Colome’s rushing attack with 197 yards and four touchdowns.

In the first quarter, Kinzer scored on a 5 yard run, Layton Thieman on a 9 yard pass from Kinzer and Kinzer on a 9-yard run

In the second quarter, Kinzer scored on a 51 yard run, Kinzer on a 41 yard run and Chase Dufek on a 9 yard run.

In the third quarter, Riley Shippy scored on a 1 yard run and the final score was Shippy on a 5 yard run. Shippy had 52 yards rushing.

Beau Bertram and Wyatt Cahoy each had seven tackles for Colome.

Colome will host Avon on Friday.

Warriors Rush for Over 400 Yards in Victory

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Winner football team rushed for over 400 yards in a 38-0 victory over Wagner Friday night.

The No. 5 rated team in Class 11B scored all 38 points in the first half including 24 points in the first quarter.

“We needed a good response defensively and we set the tone right away,” said coach Dan Aaker.

Phillip Jorgensen opened the scoring on a 4 yard run. Preston Norrid scored on a 15 yard run and Trevor Peters added a 3-yard TD run.

In the second quarter, Jorgensen scored on a 3 yard run and the final score was a 1 yard run by Norrid.

In the second half, the Warriors subbed down and let a lot of other guys on the team play.

The Warriors had 26 first downs to Wagner’s 7.

Jorgensen was the rushing leader with 102 yards followed by Peters, 93; Norrid, 62; Kaden Keiser, 30 and Evan Farner, 26.

Shea Connot and Landon Thieman each had 4 tackles. Connot had a sack in the first quarter.

“Wagner was a critical game for us to play well,” explained Aaker. “We saw a lot of good things last night.”

The final game of the regular season will be Friday, Oct. 12 when Winner will host Woonsocket/Wessington Spring/ Sanborn Central. This will be senior night.

Aaker says Woonsocket is capable of playing good football. “There is a lot riding on this game,” said the coach.

The first round of the playoffs will be held on Thursday, Oct. 18.

Lady Warriors Second in Conference

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Winner Area girls cross country team placed second at the SESD conference cross country meet Oct. 1.

Sidda Schuyler led the varsity girls as she took second. She was followed by Saige Schuyler, 8th; Aryn Meiners, 13th; Meagan Blare, 15th; Melanie Brozik, 21st; Jaclyn Laprath, 23rd.

In the varsity boys race, Kade Watson took third followed by Wyatt Turnquist, 16th; Joseph Laprath, 20th.

In the junior varsity girls race, Madison Thieman was 6th; Katherine Jankauskas, 12th; Gabby Kocer, 14th and Trinity Vrbka, 16th.

Girls cross country team takes first at Parkston

Winner Area girls cross country team took first place at the Ethan/Parkston Invitational on Oct. 4.

Sidda Schuyler took first place. Also placing for the Lady Warriors were: Saige Schuyler, 6th; Meagan Blare, 7th; Aryn Meiners, 8th; Melanie Brozik, 9th; Jaclyn Laprath, 14th.

Kade Watson led the Winner Area boys as he took second place. Joseph Laprath placed 20th.

In the junior varsity girls race, Madison Thieman placed 4th, Gabby Kocer, 9th, Katherine Jankauskas, 10th and Trinity Vrbka, 11th.

Wyatt Turnquist won first place in the junior varsity boys race.

The regional will be Oct. 11 in Chamberlain.